Thanks to mobile technology, Los Angelenos no longer have to choose between driving their own cars and paying expensive cab fares after a night out on the town.
Lyft, Uber, Sidecar, and similar companies connect drivers with riders via smartphone Apps. User feedback suggests that the easy-to-use Apps cut down on drunk driving as well as road congestion, Ian Lovett writes.
Newly-minted Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has championed the city's move away from its celebrated "culture of car ownership". But many taxi drivers aren’t happy with the App-based ride-share revolution. Last month, three App companies received cease-and-desist orders from the city, but cooperation has been minimal.
Safety is also a concern, at least for L.A.’s taxicab administrator. “I’m honestly worried for the drivers of those companies,” he said. “I have two daughters in their 20s, and I would never let them driver for those companies.”
FULL STORY: Where Car Is King, Smartphones May Cut Traffic
An Uber-Lyft Duopoly Could Benefit Customers
As monopolies, especially local ones, loom in some other industries, Uber's predominance has been slipping. Will a duopoly between Uber and Lyft be enough to ensure quality ride-hailing?
New Study Underway: Do Ride-Hailing Services Reduce Car Ownership?
The University of California, Berkeley and NRDC will team-up to verify whether Uber and Lyft reduce car ownership and are thus good for the environment. Such data already exists for a sister form of shared mobility: car-share.
The Ride-Share Revolution
"If the 20th century was devoted to building the infrastructure to service the personal automobile, then perhaps the 21st century will be devoted to undoing most of it."
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
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The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
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City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)